Obituary of Merle Norman Block

Merle Norman Block

(February 11, 1966 - November 7, 2018)

Merle Norman Block of Calgary, Alberta, formerly of Daysland, AB, passed away on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at the age of 52 years.

Merle Norman Block was born February 11, 1966 to Donald and Shirley Block (Rempel). 
Merle loved being around family and friends with friends soon becoming like family. He was a regular figure around town, riding his bicycle or snowmobile depending on the season. Merle would often visit neighbours and family, strategically planning those visits in order to enjoy first, second, and sometimes a third breakfast.  He could also be found at the rink, golf course , corner store, pub, or the family Ford dealership where he could always be counted on to keep the coffee on.
Merle attended school in Daysland and Strome before transferring to the Burgess School in Camrose where he graduated from.  He lived in Daysland with Don and Shirley until 1994 when he moved to Calgary with Don. Once in Calgary Merle got connected with Independent Counselling Enterprises, an agency who supported him in his daily journey to increase skills and experiences. Through that connection Merle was able to work and volunteer in situations like working at General Body & Equipment, volunteering at Canada Olympic Park, and building the United Church in High River just to name a few. Merle took these jobs very seriously and enjoyed being part of the crew. 
The time at the Olympic Park turned out to be one of the most successful for Merle, allowing him to be with people and follow one of his passions, skiing. Initially when Merle first volunteered at the park he was an instructor for beginner skiers and the skating rink marshal. Eventually Merle became the self-appointed safety officer, making sure the skiers all were properly buckled in with their helmets in place when riding the ski lift. He was credited with thwarting many bad injuries from this diligence. Merle loved skiing so much he had purchased his lift pass for this year during the summer.
When Don passed away Merle then took advantage of the services offered by I.C.E. to explore supported living with a number of people. It was through this program that Merle met his second family, Terry and Winn Symes and their sons Andrew and Matthew. 
Merle loved sports from a very young age. He was heavily involved with Special Olympics in Camrose participating in bowling and speed skating, making it to Nationals in Edmundson, New Brunswick. When Merle golfed you could count on the shots going straight and long, regardless of the club. Merle probably loved hockey most of all and took great pride in a slap shot that could break 2x4s and crack the glass at the rink. Haiden always said that if he could stop Merle’s shots he could stop anybody’s.  That slap shot was the reason hockey was banned in the basement at Frank’s house. There was a short period of time when Merle was an Oilers’ fan but he soon saw the light and became the biggest Flames fan in history, even working for them a short while. During that employment Merle witnessed a streaker at a game and hid his clothes, a story he loved to tell. It was also during that time when he met Jim Peplinski and Lanny McDonald. When Merle was in the hospital in Calgary his support worker made plans to send Merle flowers and asked him what colour he would like, Merle‘s answer was Flames colours. 
Merle was the kind of person who left an impression with everyone he met, happy and caring, with the ability to brighten anyone’s day. He truly was everyone’s friend. 
Merle fought hard to get well, fighting for seven long months. He spent time at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary where he was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver. He eventually was transferred to the University Hospital in Edmonton where he was accepted on the transplant list. The fight just got to be too hard and Merle passed away the morning of November 7th in Edmonton. 
Merle was predeceased by his father Donald Block; grandparents Norman and Elsie Block and Ben and Meta Rempel; good friend Bob Goosen; as well as numerous aunts and uncles.
 

Merle is survived by his mother Shirley Rempel; siblings Frank Block (Carmyn), Rhonda Johnson (Kevin), and Michael Owens (Colleen); nieces and nephews Camille Roney (Morgan), Haiden Block, Michael Crane (Mariah), Jordan Johnson, Cianna Johnson, and Murray Owens; great-nephew, Grayson Roney; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. 
 

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Calgary Flames Foundation in memory of Merle by going to their website https://calgaryflamesfoundation.com. Also please consider becoming an organ donor.

A Funeral Service was held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 13, 2018 from the Knox United Church in Daysland, Alberta with Rev. Deanna Cox officiating.

Inurnment will take place at a later date.